The professional staff of the Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology (CCMP) is involved in a number of translational and collaborative research projects that address clinical, infectious, and operational issues related to the use of animals in research. The staff received support in these efforts from fellows in CCMP's various training programs.

Elucidating the pathogenesis and epidemiology of Corynebacterium bovis: C. bovis is the causative agent of corynebacterium-associated hyperkeratitis (CAH). CAH is a significant clinical problem in immunocompromised mouse colonies, particularly in those at academic centers such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where various laboratories use immunocompromised mice as xenograft models. The agent is endemic in most non-commercial athymic mouse colonies and can have a significant impact on the outcome of xenograft studies conducted in affected animals. Current investigations are exploring methods to eradicate, contain, and treat the infection.

Developing eradication methods for Myobia musculi and Myocoptesmusculinus infestations: Mite infestations are a significant problem in contemporary mouse colonies. Eradication is extremely difficult even when attempting to eliminate mites from small numbers of animals. A feed-based acaricide delivery system was developed and efficacy evaluated.

Postoperative pain control is important in rodent models. While potent analgesics are available, they may not be used effectively and at the appropriate doses and frequencies. Analgesic formulations are currently being evaluated in relevant model systems.

Collaborative research is undertaken directly with the various Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell Medical College laboratories that develop and utilize animal models.

Examples of current collaborations include the following: describing and characterizing a new model of dyskeratosis congenita based on the disruption of mouse telomerase and Pot1b proteins; unveiling the function of various genes in the NMR complex (Nbs1, Mre11, and Rad 50) responsible for double-stranded DNA repair; characterizing the biological significance and role of the newly identified antiapoptoticgene, septin 4, in the development of hepatic cancer; testing new anti-prostate cancer drugs in newly developed mouse models containing the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion protein and an activated AKT pathway; evaluating the global conditional disruption of the Abi1/Hssh3bp1 gene on prostatic and other neoplasms in a genetically engineered mouse model; and studying the impact of curcumin on mammary and intestinalneoplasia in ENU-induced mouse cancer models.

PublicationsSelected publications from the Tri-Institutional Training Program faculty and fellows.

affected

Individuals in a pedigree who exhibit the specific phenotype under study.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

analgesic (A-nul-JEE-zik)

A drug that reduces pain. Analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

antiapoptotic (AN-tee-A-pop-TAH-tik)

Something that prevents apoptosis. Apoptosis is a type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

biological (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul)

Pertaining to biology or to life and living things. In medicine, refers to a substance made from a living organism or its products. Biologicals may be used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve of symptoms of a disease. For example, antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines are biologicals. Biological also refers to parents and children who are related by blood.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

curcumin (ker-KYOO-min)

A yellow pigment of the spice turmeric that is being studied in cancer prevention.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

DNA

The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

efficacy (EH-fih-kuh-see)

Effectiveness. In medicine, the ability of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to produce the desired beneficial effect.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

epidemiology (EH-pih-dee-mee-AH-loh-jee)

The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

fusion protein (FYOO-zhun PROH-teen)

A protein made from a fusion gene, which is created by joining parts of two different genes. Fusion genes may occur naturally in the body by transfer of DNA between chromosomes. For example, the BCR-ABL gene found in some types of leukemia is a fusion gene that makes the BCR-ABL fusion protein. Fusion genes and proteins can also be made in the laboratory by combining genes or parts of genes from the same or different organisms.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gene (jeen)

The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

hepatic (heh-PA-tik)

Refers to the liver.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immunocompromised (IH-myoo-noh-KOM-proh-mized)

Having a weakened immune system caused by certain diseases or treatments.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

infection (in-FEK-shun)

Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

intestinal (in-TES-tih-nul)

Having to do with the intestines.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

mammary (MA-muh-ree)

Having to do with the breast.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

neoplasia (NEE-oh-PLAY-zhuh)

Abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

outcome (OWT-kum)

A specific result or effect that can be measured. Examples of outcomes include decreased pain, reduced tumor size, and improvement of disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

postoperative (post-AH-pruh-tiv)

After surgery.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

significant (sig-NIH-fih-kunt)

In statistics, describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be significant if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone. Also called statistically significant.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

telomerase (teh-LOH-meh-rays)

An enzyme in cells that helps keep them alive by adding DNA to telomeres (the ends of chromosomes). Each time a cell divides, the telomeres lose a small amount of DNA and become shorter. Over time, the chromosomes become damaged and the cells die. Telomerase helps keep this from happening. Cancer cells usually have more telomerase than most normal cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

translational research (trans-LAY-shuh-nul reh-SERCH)

A term used to describe the process by which the results of research done in the laboratory are used to develop new ways to diagnose and treat disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

xenograft (ZEE-noh-graft)

The transplant of an organ, tissue, or cells to an individual of another species.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)